ADAMS, RALPH N.

SALTVILLE – Mr. Ralph Nelson Adams, 83, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, in Holston Valley Medical Center, in Kingsport.

Ralph was born May 29, 1918, in Honaker and spent most of his life in Saltville. He became a born again Christian on March 12, 2002, when he dedicated his life to our Lord and Savior. He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a member of the First Marine Raider Battalion, Fifth Marines, he participated in many of the South Pacific battles such as Peleliu Islands, Guadalcanal, Okinawa. He was decorated with three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He was retired from the U.S. Gypsum Co. with 40 years of service. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosella Taylor Adams, and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Elsie Hogston Adams; one son, Ralph “Buddy” Adams and wife, Pam, of Bristol, Va.; one daughter, Marty Hogston amd her husband, Douglas, of Mt. Carmel, Tenn.; one sister, Doris Auck and her husband, Clarence, of Bucyrus, Ohio; one stepson, Larry Hogston and wife, Sandy, of Saltville; grandchildren, Adam Hogston and wife, Kim, of Mt. Carmel, Lisa McCroskey and husband, James, of Bristol, Va., and Jeremy Buddy Adams of Bristol, Va.; great-grandchildren, Zane and Wyatt McCroskey of Bristol, Va.; several nieces and nephews; and his precious dog and companion, Nikki.

At Ralph’s request, a graveside service will be conducted at Forest Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Abingdon 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2002, with Rev. Bob Surber officiating. The Marion VFW Post will be conducting military rites. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saltvile Rescue Squad. Friends may visit at the home any time.

D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the family.